Mexican singer Peso Pluma, known for glorifying drug trafficking in his music, has received threats ahead of his scheduled concert in Tijuana. Four banners, signed by the CJNG (Jalisco New Generation cartel), appeared in different parts of the city, warning Peso Pluma to cancel the show or face dire consequences. The banners criticized the singer for his lyrics and warned that the concert could be his last. Police are currently investigating the threats.
Narcocorridos, a genre of music that exalts drug gangs, has long been a controversial topic in Mexico. The tradition dates back to the 19th century and has evolved to mythologize drug traffickers. Singers dedicated to the genre have faced backlash from the government, and many have been targeted by organized crime. Peso Pluma, a rising star in the genre, has gained global fame with his music, attracting millions of listeners on platforms like Spotify.
The threats against Peso Pluma highlight the risks associated with making narcocorridos. The singer’s popularity and recent performance at a major music festival dedicated to the genre may have triggered the warnings. Tijuana Mayor Montserrat Caballero Ramírez expressed concerns about the safety of concert attendees and stated that the city would decide whether to cancel the event in the coming days.
While some cities in Mexico, including Cancun, have enacted bans on narcocorrido performances, Mayor Caballero Ramírez does not support an outright ban. She believes that parents should take responsibility for monitoring their children’s music choices. Peso Pluma has not publicly addressed the threats.
